SUCCESS STORY: Non-EU spouse of a British citizen travels to

[Lymesix]

I would just want to share my success story to people like me who may experience the same dilemma I had.
I am a spouse of British citizen,holding a Philippine passport and a separate ILR permanent resident card (no remarks of EU family member). I recently applied for a schengen visa as a spouse of an EU from the French consulate, which was issued for free with quick processing time. The application was successful and I was issued with a multi entry visa for one year with remarks "EU/EEA FAMILY MEMBER". As I understood under the EU free movement, as a non EU spouse, I should travel to accompany/join my EU spouse to any schengen state, however, due to unexpected events I had to travel on my own to France as my husband was not able to join me. This was my dillema, the risk of being denied boarding or denied entry worried me. I phoned Ryanair boarding control head office and explained my situation and I was assured that there will be no problem boarding me as my visa didn't state that I meed to be accompanied with my spouse. So I checked in at the airport, the staff had to double check my visa with another officer and stamped my boarding pass ready to board no problem at all. I was only asked if I am travelling on my own I said Yes. Now. It's the French immigration officer when I landed in France, same thing the officer checked my visa, double checked it with his colleague, scanned and off I went no questions asked.

I know this was not luck as they all double checked my visa and never asked about my spouse.i believe as long as someone holds a valid shengen visa without restrictions under remarks should be able to travel smoothly with or without the EU spouse. Although, I still brought with me papers to prove of my marriage with my spouse and evidence that we are living together.

I hope this post helps to some of you out there getting stressed over the same thing.

[gokulatti]

That is good to know. Congrats!.

Also just to clarify for future readers,

I know this was not luck as they all double checked my visa and never asked about my spouse. ---> you had minimal check wrt schengen border code. i believe as long as someone holds a valid shengen visa without restrictions under remarks should be able to travel smoothly with or without the EU spouse. ----> Family member of EU/EEA national is sort of a restriction and No you cant travel without legally speaking. Although, I still brought with me papers to prove of my marriage with my spouse and evidence that we are living together.

-I am in no way down playing your accomplishment but want to just make sure future readers do not get the wrong picture or take things for granted.

[Lymesix]